Introduction - Week 10 Summary -
Ensign's log, stardate 100504.6,
Well this week was a strange week of growing.
Early in the week had to remove the humidity dome from the smaller plant in the original EarthBox. She was getting too big for the dome so had to remove it. Also started foliar feeding both plants now.
Then it happened.. My oscillating fan broke.
Shaka. When the walls fell..
Had to order a new one. Until the new one arrived (an AC Infinity Cloudray S6) had to use a non-oscillating mini fan. Unfortunately this still caused a pretty drastic drop in the overall RH.
Mid week, did a bit more defoliation and started feeding bloom nutrients. Haven't watered the soil most of veg so decided to top feed a bit as she transitions into full bloom. Still have not watered into the reservoir. Also tried a bit of High-Stress Training (HST) by Super Cropping the main stalk. This was mainly to even out the canopy.
By the end of the week, I received the replacement fan and promptly installed it!
Unfortunately, I think the drastic dry fluctuation in RH may have triggered two plants into early bloom. Damnit Ensign.
Maybe they will re-veg? I dunno.
Well just going to keep on growing!
[START OF WEEK 10]
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WEEK 10 - Veg 5 โ Pre-Bloom
WEEK 03 - Early Veg โ Pre-Bloom?
WEEK 02 - Seedling [Pre-Veg] โ Pre-Bloom?
WEEK 02 - Seedling [Pre-Veg] โ Early Veg
11/21/22 โ 11/27/22
This Week's Estimated Goals
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DLI: 12-14 mol/m2/d
PPFD: 185-216 ฮผmol/m2/s
VPD: 0.8-1.1 kPa
This Week's Meter Readings & Averages
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DLI: 13.54 mol/m2/d
PPFD: 209 ฮผmol/m2/s
VPD: 0.89 kPa
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Day 01 - Monday - 11/21/22 - Total Days: 068 [023] [019]
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Daily Averages
- Temps: 76.4ยฐF [24.7ยฐC]
- Humidity: 68.5%
- VPD: 0.96 kPa
-----------------------------------
- [09:23]: Good morning my girls!
--- Growing along nicely!
--- Did not mist any water.
--- Just placed the humidity domes back on with vents fully open.
- [21:04]: Evening checkup!
--- Looking good!
--- The smaller plant in the original EarthBox has reached the edge of her humidity dome. So time to remove it and just hope for the best.
--- Misted the young plant with distilled water. Then slightly misted the top growth and grow bag of each of the twin seedlings.
--- Placed the humidity domes back with the vents fully open.
--- Also refilled the humidifier with distilled water and a bit of Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
--- This week is starting off pretty easy!
Day 02 - Tuesday - 11/22/22 - Total Days: 069 [024] [020]
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Daily Averages
- Temps: 75.6ยฐF [24.2ยฐC]
- Humidity: 70.2%
- VPD: 0.87 kPa
-----------------------------------
- [09:28]: Good morning my ladies!
--- Looking nice and perky across the board!
--- Did not mist any water.
--- Just placed the humidity domes back on with vents fully open.
- [16:37]: Evening check up!
--- Aye looking good ladies!
--- Everyone is looking nice and healthy!
--- Finally growing a long smoothly!
- [16:41]: Checked the soil with a moisture meter.
--- According to the meter which was at a 3 out of 10, the soil moisture was still sort of dry but getting better.
--- Plan to water about 3 cups tonight to see how moisture levels change.
--- Rotated the EarthBoxes and checked the moisture under the mulch cover.
--- The moisture was still off the scale.
--- Checked on both sides with the same results.
--- Not going to bottom water.
--- Anyways,
--- Time to foliar feed again!
--- Going to scale up the same seedling dosages from last week.
- [16:57]: Filled a measuring cup with 1cup of distilled water.
--- Added 1/64tsp of Quillaja Saponaria Extract
--- Added 1/32tsp of Horticultural Aloe
--- Added 1/16tsp of Pure Protein Dry [Organic Fish Aminos]
--- Added 1/64tsp of Big 6 Micronutrients [+ Humic Acid]
--- Mixed the solution and poured it straight into a spray bottle.
- [17:05]: Defoliated the yellowing and necrotic leaves.
--- Tucked the trimmings under the mulch cover.
- [17:48]: Misted the top growth for both plants.
--- Just enough to coat the leaves.
--- Waited about 30 minutes.
--- Then re-sprayed the top growth again.
--- Then rotated the EarthBoxes back to the default configuration.
- [17:52]: Filled the spray bottle to 750mL (~3.18 cup) with distilled water.
--- Mixed and misted the solution onto the top soil of the new EarthBox.
--- Misted the entire solution evenly onto the top soil (including the grow bag and seedlings).
--- Placed the humidity domes back onto both seedlings (vents fully open).
--- Also refilled the humidifier with distilled water and Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
--- Done!
Day 03 - Wednesday - 11/23/22 - Total Days: 070 [025] [021]
-----------------------------------
Daily Averages
- Temps: 75.6ยฐF [24.2ยฐC]
- Humidity: 69.0%
- VPD: 0.92 kPa
-----------------------------------
- [09:55]: Quick morning check!
--- Yikes!
--- The main grow was looking a bit wonky.
--- Oh no!
--- The oscillating fan was not spinning.
--- Damnit Ensign..
--- [*smokes a bowl]
- [10:28]: I guess it was bound to happen, the oscillating fan in the tent has finally broken.
--- It lasted just over 2 years so not bad.
--- But still.. Shaka..
--- Anyways, time to order a new one!
--- Decided upgrade to an AC Infinity Cloudray S6 oscillating clip fan.
--- The price was pretty much the same my old one (Holmes Blizzard HAOF87) with a few added perks!
--- This fan will clip straight onto a support bar in the tent so I no longer need the stack buckets and boxes (this will free up space).
--- Also, instead of a 2-speed fan, this new fan will have 10 speeds. I never really adjusted the speed of the fan, but I guess it's nice to have.
--- One cool feature is the speed and oscillation can be controlled via their UIS (Universal Infinity System) Controller 69 and phone app which gives the ability to set ON/OFF schedules. Not use if I'm going to use the schedules, but good to have.
- [13:08]: Broke the night cycle and quickly placed a mini fan into the tent to help with air circulation.
--- This fan does not oscillate, but any air circulation is better none.
--- Gonna have to do while I wait for the new one to arrive.
- [16:08]: Evening check up.
--- Nice! All the plants look a lot better!
--- The main grow also looks like she is really starting to flower!
--- Checked the soil moisture.
--- According to the meter, the soil was pretty good at around a 3.7 but could have a bit more moisture.
--- Plan to apply the mulch cover to the twins.
--- But before the mulch cover, going to top dress a bit of bokashi.
--- Also will water in about a cup more water.
- [16:19]: Misted both plants in the original EarthBox.
--- Just gave each one a quick misting of distilled water.
- [16:35]: Sprinkled 3tbsp of Kashi Blend over the entire top soil.
--- Then using my fingers, I gently mixed it into the top soil.
--- Also gently broke up any crusty chunks of dirt.
--- Okay time to wet!
- [16:47]: Filled a measuring cup with 1 cup of distilled water.
--- Added 1/64tsp of Quillaja Saponaria Extract
--- Added 1.5mL of Yah-Whey
--- Mixed the solution and poured it straight into a spray bottle.
--- Misted the entire bottle onto the top soil of the EarthBox.
--- I did not mist the grow bags or any of the twin seedlings.
--- Time to apply the cover!
- [17:03]: Covered each seedling with a clear solo cup
--- Then, very gently, I stretched the mulch over the entire EarthBox.
--- To help clamp the mulch cover down, I also applied 4 binder clips.
--- Then using a pair of scissors and a bit of putty, I cut out 2 square holes (I cut out an x-shape, then secured the flaps with putty).
--- Once both holes were cut, I gently slid back the cover and removed the solo cup for the front seedling.
--- Then, while carefully stretching the plastic mulch cover back on, I gently slid her through the newly made hole.
--- I repeated the process for the back seedling, and done!
- [17:25]: Placed the humidity domes back on.
--- Did not mist any of the seedlings.
--- However I did re-mist both plants in the original EarthBox with more distilled water.
--- Also refilled the humidifier with distilled water and Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
Day 04 - Thursday - 11/24/22 - Total Days: 071 [026] [022]
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Daily Averages
- Temps: 75.1ยฐF [23.9ยฐC]
- Humidity: 71.3%
- VPD: 0.84 kPa
-----------------------------------
- [09:35]: Quick morning checkup!
--- The main grow has a few yellowing leaf tips, but most of the growth looks okay.
--- The youngling in the original EarthBox is looking pretty happy!
--- Also both the twin seedlings look great!
--- Did not mist any water.
--- Just placed the humidity domes back on the seedlings with the vents fully open.
--- Also refilled the humidifier with distilled water and Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
- [16:04]: Evening checkup!
--- Nice!
--- Everyone looks nice and healthy!
--- The original grow is still yellowing a bit.
--- But the rest of the plants seem to be doing well!
- [16:14]: Checked the soil moisture for both EarthBoxes with a meter.
--- First the new EarthBox.
--- According to the meter, the new EarthBox's soil was still pretty dry (with a reading of 1.5 out of 10).
--- The top soil was still quite moist, yet the under soil was bone dry. Interesting.
--- Decided to top water in 2 cups of water to see if the meter raises up to better levels.
--- Checked the original EarthBox.
--- According to the meter, the original EarthBox's soil was still off the charts (with a reading of over 10 out of 10).
--- The opposite was true for the top soil, which looked and felt quite dry.
--- Despite the high reading, decided to top water a cup onto one side of the original EarthBox.
--- This is probably a really bad idea, but going to do it anyways.
--- She is clearly flowering so need to feed her some sort of a bloom nutrients (I think).
- [16:41]: Took PPFD readings.
--- PPFD readings of the main grow was at 454 ฮผmol/m2/s which gives a DLI of 29.42 mol/m2/d
--- PPFD readings for the seedlings were at 209 ฮผmol/m2/s which gives a DLI of 13.54 mol/m2/d
--- Not going to adjust anything.
--- Decided to keep the light at the same height.
- [16:51]: Took height readings.
--- The young plant in the main EarthBox was about 4.75" tall!
--- The twin seedlings were both around 3.25" tall!
--- The distance between the young plant and the light was around 27"
--- The distance between the twin seedlings and the light was around 30"
--- Rotated the EarthBoxes.
--- The original grow was around 19" tall!
--- The distance between the top of the canopy of the main grow and light was around 14.5"
--- Wow! Looking at the tops of the original grow, pistil hairs are clearly starting to stack!
--- She has clearly gone into flower!
--- Okay time to feed!
- [17:28]: Filled a measuring cup with a cup of distilled water.
--- Added 1/64tsp of:
----- Quillaja Saponaria Extract
----- Big 6 Micronutrients [+ Humic Acid]
----- BuildABloom
--- Added 1/32tsp of:
----- Horticultural Aloe
----- Mycrobe Complete
----- Bio-Phos
--- Added 1/16tsp of:
----- Pure Protein Dry [Organic Fish Aminos]
----- Horticultural Coconut
--- Added 1.5mL of Yah-Whey
--- Mixed the solution and poured it straight into a spray bottle.
- [17:46]: Defoliated the yellowing and necrotic leaves.
--- Tucked the trimmings under the mulch cover.
- [17:58]: Misted the entire bottle onto one corner of the EarthBox (side closet to the fill tube, opposite corner).
--- Tried to keep it watering to the far side and did not go past the original plant.
--- I really don't want to over water the young plant.
- [18:07]: Rotated the EarthBoxes back to the default configuration.
--- The top canopy of the original grow was looking uneven.
--- Since she is just starting to flower and I still want to slow things down,
--- Decided to try some high stress training in the form of super cropping.
--- Instead of cutting, going to bend over a section of the main stalk to even out the canopy.
--- Using my thumb and forefinger, I gently pinched a section of the main stalk that was going to be bent over.
--- I pinched the area several times all the way around until the stem was nice and soft.
--- Then I gently bent the stalk over.
--- She lost a few inches in height, but now the canopy looks a whole lot more even.
--- Ooowee!
--- While rubbing the stem, have to say that the terpene profile was pretty damn loud! Gas all the way!
--- Misted the top growth of only the original grow with a bit of distilled water.
--- Okay onto the twins.
- [18:18]: Filled a spray bottle to 500mL (~2.12cups) with distilled water.
--- Added 1/64tsp of Quillaja Saponaria Extract
--- Gave the bottle a quick mix before misting the solution onto the top soil.
--- Mainly focused on the center and left areas of the EarthBox.
--- Using binder clips really helped with controlling the mulch cover.
--- Did not mist the top growth.
--- Really want to bottom water. But will continue to hold off. May start watering soon.
--- Also refilled the humidifier with distilled water and Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
--- Will check the soil moisture tomorrow to compare any changes.
--- On the side, been researching Brix and refractometers. The Brix test is used in vineyards to determine the health in grapes by measuring the sucrose levels. This can be done for all plants so why not cannabis? Still have to research a bit more.
Day 05 - Friday - 11/25/22 - Total Days: 072 [027] [023]
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Daily Averages
- Temps: 75.9ยฐF [24.4ยฐC]
- Humidity: 63.6%
- VPD: 1.09 kPa
-----------------------------------
- [09:31]: Quick morning checkup!
--- The main grow is continuing to yellow.
--- Well. I dunno.
--- The youngling in the original EarthBox is still looking nice and perky so I didn't over water her (I think).
--- Both of the twin seedlings are look pretty good!
--- Did not mist any water.
--- Just placed the humidity domes back on the seedlings with the vents fully open.
- [21:05]: Evening checkup!
--- Looking good ladies!
--- Everyone is looking nice and healthy!
--- Did not mist any water. Just placed the domes back onto the twins (vents fully open).
--- Aye nice!
- [21:07]: A package with the new fan arrived!
--- AC Infinity definitely is known for quality exhaust fans so very stoked to try their oscillating fans!
--- Clean looking box! Everything was well packed which included the main fan unit, a pole clamp, a USB-C cable and an adapter (USB-C to Molex). The box also included an instructional manual and a few cable ties.
--- Setup was pretty straightforward!
--- First I attached the clamp to the fan and connected the USB cable. Also did a bit of cable management and secured the cables to the clamp using the provided velcro cable-ties.
--- Then I simply clamped the fan to the pole and plugged the fan in.
--- Also had to route the USB-C cable through a vent in the tent to connect it to the fan controller (Controller 69) outside. I didn't need the supplied adapter, but good to have (I guess).
--- Also removed the boxes that was holding the old fan up.
--- Okay done!
--- Wow she's a beauty!
- [23:39]: After a bit of tinkering with the AC Infinity app, I think I figured out how to set the fan.
--- Going to set the fan speed to a constant 8 out of 10.
--- Well first impressions are pretty good.
--- The fan is quite silent.
--- But to be honest, compared to the previous fan (Holmes Blizzard HAOF87), the build quality seems a bit flimsy (the plastic feels more brittle and thin).
--- Also, even though the fan is quieter, this fan does not seem to push as much air as my last one. At the max speed of 10, the wind felt closer to the lowest setting on the old fan.
--- But we'll see how long she lasts. Hoping for the best!
Day 06 - Saturday - 11/26/22 - Total Days: 073 [028] [024]
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Daily Averages
- Temps: 75.7ยฐF [24.3ยฐC]
- Humidity: 73.6%
- VPD: 0.78 kPa
-----------------------------------
- [07:38]: Quick morning checkup!
--- The main grow still has yellowing
--- The young plant in the original EarthBox is getting larger!
--- Both of the twins are also looking less like seedlings and more like young vegging plants!
--- Nice! Both base stalks are also changing from brown to green.
--- They are both growing fast and are reaching the sides of the dome. Will probably have to remove the dome by the end of next week. Hyped!
--- Did not mist any water.
--- Just placed the humidity domes back on the seedlings with the vents fully open.
- [19:05]: Evening checkup!
--- Wow! Looking good!
--- The original grow still has yellowing leaves, but not sure what I can do. Impressively, the super-cropped top has already started to bend back! Well most of the growth is looking pretty good so will continue on!
--- The rest of the girls are looking pretty damn good!
- [20:12]: Checked the soil moisture for both EarthBoxes.
--- The new EarthBox was at a ~4.9 out of 10 so the soil was pretty good!
--- Not going to add any water.
--- The original EarthBox was at still off the scale.
--- Not going to add any water.
- [20:16]: Misted the top growth for all plants with distilled water.
--- Then placed the domes back onto the twins with the vents fully open.
--- Also refilled the humidifier with distilled water and Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
--- Done! Easy day of growing!
Day 07 - Sunday - 11/27/22 - Total Days: 074 [029] [025]
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Daily Averages
- Temps: 75.9ยฐF [24.4ยฐC]
- Humidity: 75.4%
- VPD: 0.74 kPa
-----------------------------------
- [07:23]: Good morning my girls!
--- Looking good!
--- Did not mist or add any water.
--- Just placed the domes back onto the twins with the vents fully open.
--- Nice!
--- The tent is starting to get a bit loud!
--- She has a definite gassy profile! Very hyped!
--- Before the aroma gets anymore pungent, plan to re-attach the carbon filter. Probably tonight.
- [19:05]: Evening checkup!
--- Nice!
--- Growth is looking great!
--- Hmm.
--- Sort of looks like 2 of the young plants are showing signs of flowering?
--- Well just going to keep growing and will probably harvest the 3 plants all at once.
--- Ironically the runt is the only one that seems to be vegging.
- [19:07]: Checked the soil moisture for both EarthBoxes.
--- First the new EarthBox.
--- According to the meter, the new EarthBox's soil was pretty good (with a reading of 4.9 out of 10).
--- The top soil looked nice and hydrated too so good!
--- Not going to add anymore water.
--- Checked the original EarthBox.
--- According to the meter, the original EarthBox's soil was still off the scale (with a reading of over 10 out of 10).
--- The top soil was dry at the front and moist in the back.
--- Not going to add anymore water.
--- The terpenes are really starting to stank!
--- Stem rubs gave off gassy terps which were almost garlic-like. Very nice!
--- Okay!
- [19:12]: Decided to attach the carbon filter.
--- Since I already had the carbon filter hanging in place, re-attaching it was pretty straightforward.
--- First I removed the dust cover filter from the exhaust fan along with the plastic wrap from the carbon filter.
--- Then I simply slid the fan into the filter and secured it with a strip of aluminum tape.
--- Done!
--- Also refilled the humidifier with distilled water and Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
- [20:55]: Decided to increase the MIN speed for the exhaust fan.
--- Since the carbon filter will slightly restrict the air-exchange rate, need to up the exhaust fan's speed by a bit.
--- Bumped the MIN speed from 2 to 3.
--- That's it!
--- Well this week ended a bit weird.
--- I think the drastic change in environment must have triggered 2 of the plants into bloom.
--- During the few days that it took to replace the broken oscillating fan, had huge dry spikes in overall RH which is not good. This could have made the plants think it was time to flower? I guess this makes sense since recommend RH during flower is around 40-50% RH.
--- Well just going to see what happens!
--- Well I think for the next run, going back to photo-periods.
--- This way I can be sure to veg each plant to a decent size before flipping to bloom. As a beginner grower, being able to control the veg and bloom cycle is a definite safety net.
--- For the next run may just pop two beans of either some "Bubba Kush" or "Bruce Banger" by Seedsman.
[END OF WEEK 10]
@gottagrowsometime,
Thanks! Yea, these seeds were a bit pale, but the germinated seed has already sprouted from the soil and I looks healthy. Hoping for the best!
@Dirty_Hippy,
Siiick!! Now I'm no expert but feel free to follow along growmie! I try to post weekly! I'm still learning how to grow in it, but have so far enjoyed using the EarthBox. I recommend checking out the BuildASoil YT channel if you really want great free info on organic growing in the EarthBox.